These must weight as much as the books themselves. Our little one has on her bag some benie boos, emojis, hand sanitizer, lotion, lip gloss, and a few other things that add bling and sparkle. Thought it was too cute not to post.
Friday, April 29, 2016
Bookbag Trinkets
Why do tween girls love trinkets? I guess it's the stage they're in. When girls are young, they love dolls and stuffed animals. A little older they go to barbies. Then into the tweens, it's all those trinkets that look really cool hanging from their book bag.
These must weight as much as the books themselves. Our little one has on her bag some benie boos, emojis, hand sanitizer, lotion, lip gloss, and a few other things that add bling and sparkle. Thought it was too cute not to post.
These must weight as much as the books themselves. Our little one has on her bag some benie boos, emojis, hand sanitizer, lotion, lip gloss, and a few other things that add bling and sparkle. Thought it was too cute not to post.
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Strawberry Farm
It's strawberry time, and we couldn't wait to pick our first basket of the season.
When the kids were younger, we would tell them to pick only the red ones, and make sure there was red all around. It was funny, because as we'd pass by other families with young children, they were telling them the same things.
There were several families from various countries there, too. We heard English, Spanish, German, and Russian languages, and from what we could interpret, they had the same messages to their kids: only pick the red ones.
This always starts the warm weather for us as we enjoy strawberry smoothies, strawberry shortcake, and make homemade strawberry jam for PB&J's later that fall. With our oldest at college and our son at work, we only have one helper left. She's a good strawberry picker, though, and keeps us entertained. Talks the entire time.
When the kids were younger, we would tell them to pick only the red ones, and make sure there was red all around. It was funny, because as we'd pass by other families with young children, they were telling them the same things.
There were several families from various countries there, too. We heard English, Spanish, German, and Russian languages, and from what we could interpret, they had the same messages to their kids: only pick the red ones.
This always starts the warm weather for us as we enjoy strawberry smoothies, strawberry shortcake, and make homemade strawberry jam for PB&J's later that fall. With our oldest at college and our son at work, we only have one helper left. She's a good strawberry picker, though, and keeps us entertained. Talks the entire time.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
First Job
Our son has been driving now for almost a year, so it's time for him to help pay for gas. He has a few friends who work at Zaxby's, the local chicken & hot wings restaurant, and he heard that they pay pretty well.
After filling out an application, they called him in for an interview. They offered him a position, scheduled orientation, and he started work that weekend. He works long hours, though, with a typical shift of 7-8 hours straight on his feet. The family decided to meet him there during his 30-min. lunch break where I was able to grab a few pictures.
After filling out an application, they called him in for an interview. They offered him a position, scheduled orientation, and he started work that weekend. He works long hours, though, with a typical shift of 7-8 hours straight on his feet. The family decided to meet him there during his 30-min. lunch break where I was able to grab a few pictures.
The first picture was during training at the hot wings fryer. This second picture he's wiping off tables and trays. I stopped after this one because it was getting obvious that I was his mom. He wouldn't let me take a picture at home before he left, so I had no other choice. This was another milestone that needed to be captured.
Friday, April 15, 2016
Player of the Week
Our son was awarded the athletic player of the week! With his second year on varsity, the team counts on him to be versitle with several positions: goal keeper; forward; or mid field. Coach puts him in and says, "I need you to score one." Then sure enough, he either scores or assists a goal. Same with keeper. The starting GK is a senior, but they often put our son in that position if the pressure warrants him.
Proud mom!
Here's the on-line link: http://powdersvillepatriotathletics.com/2016/04/13/congratulations-pvhs-athlete-of-the-week-8/
Here's the on-line link: http://powdersvillepatriotathletics.com/2016/04/13/congratulations-pvhs-athlete-of-the-week-8/
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Tax Time
April 15th is almost upon us, and I have to share a running joke between Eric & me. About fifteen years ago, I agreed to mail the tax return envelopes to the IRS and state agencies. I took them to work, weighed on a scale, and affixed the appropriate stamps. No big deal.
About 4 days later, on April 15th, we got them returned to us at home because there wasn't enough postage on there. With only one hour left before the PO closed, we quickly drove back to re-mail them, but this time with the added stamps.
Since that day, Eric has made a comment every year at tax time, "Don't forget to let the post office weigh them!". Ok, ha, ha. Heard it enough times already. But still, he thinks it's hillarious to say each year.
This year, same thing. Once I got to the post office, I promised I would snap a picture of the receipt to "prove" that I actually let them weigh the envelopes.
However, something interesting happened. When the clerk punched in the address for one of the envelopes, it didn't register on her screen. "Is this the correct address?" she asked. "I think so. My husband addressed them," I said.
"Hmmm, well it's not showing up here. Do you mind opening the envelope to ensure the address was written correctly?" she persisted.
"Sure, Ok," I said. After opening up the tax return and reviewing the mailing instructions, there appeared to be an error with the zip code. I crossed out the previously written one and wrote the correct one above it. Simple transposition error, but oh so sweet! I had to take a picture.
Mailed as-is, this would not have been delivered on-time and instead returned to our home address, similar to another incident many years ago. The only difference now is that he won't be able to live this down! :)
About 4 days later, on April 15th, we got them returned to us at home because there wasn't enough postage on there. With only one hour left before the PO closed, we quickly drove back to re-mail them, but this time with the added stamps.
Since that day, Eric has made a comment every year at tax time, "Don't forget to let the post office weigh them!". Ok, ha, ha. Heard it enough times already. But still, he thinks it's hillarious to say each year.
This year, same thing. Once I got to the post office, I promised I would snap a picture of the receipt to "prove" that I actually let them weigh the envelopes.
However, something interesting happened. When the clerk punched in the address for one of the envelopes, it didn't register on her screen. "Is this the correct address?" she asked. "I think so. My husband addressed them," I said.
"Hmmm, well it's not showing up here. Do you mind opening the envelope to ensure the address was written correctly?" she persisted.
"Sure, Ok," I said. After opening up the tax return and reviewing the mailing instructions, there appeared to be an error with the zip code. I crossed out the previously written one and wrote the correct one above it. Simple transposition error, but oh so sweet! I had to take a picture.
Mailed as-is, this would not have been delivered on-time and instead returned to our home address, similar to another incident many years ago. The only difference now is that he won't be able to live this down! :)
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Easter Cruise, Part 3 of 3
For our final port of call, we docked at Freeport. My son and I decided to try scuba diving. It was amazing!! We completed our first instructional course and are now ready to get certified.
Our first dive was quite shallow, but we saw a few neat things. We saw an anchor, parts of a ship, and a cannon.
While we were scuba diving, Daddy and the little one explored a different side of the island with a snorkle boat. They actually had better pictures with their underwater camera and saw more tropical fish!
Their boat was equipped with a rock wall, slide, and all sorts of fun for the kids! Daddy captured an amazing shot of our little one shooting out of the slide and into the ocean.
As evening set in, a storm was brewing in the distance. By the time we were to disembark, the waves were too rough. The ship sat at the dock over two hours before leaving.
I decided a pina colada would ease my stomach, and I was right. Fell right to sleep afterwards on the pool side, then felt great afterwards.
Daddy and the little one enjoyed one of several hot tubs that last day at sea.
With all the rocking, no one was on deck playing putt putt golf. They had the entire course to themselves.
Our first dive was quite shallow, but we saw a few neat things. We saw an anchor, parts of a ship, and a cannon.
Even I got to have a scuba picture! Many thanks to our guide for snapping this one.
While we were scuba diving, Daddy and the little one explored a different side of the island with a snorkle boat. They actually had better pictures with their underwater camera and saw more tropical fish!
Their boat was equipped with a rock wall, slide, and all sorts of fun for the kids! Daddy captured an amazing shot of our little one shooting out of the slide and into the ocean.
That night and throughout the next day at sea, it was a little rough. Waves were about 4-6 feet. After six cruises, this is the first time I started feeling a little queasy. The picture below doesn't do it justice, but keep in mind that I was on the 12th deck looking down at the water.
I decided a pina colada would ease my stomach, and I was right. Fell right to sleep afterwards on the pool side, then felt great afterwards.
Daddy and the little one enjoyed one of several hot tubs that last day at sea.
With all the rocking, no one was on deck playing putt putt golf. They had the entire course to themselves.
We returned safe and sound, stopping briefly back at USC to see Ashlyn again. We also renewed our passports so we can plan our next adventure!
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Easter Cruise, Part 2 of 3
We adventured off during each port of call so that we could really explore the island. At our first docking, Nassau, we took a small boat over to a private island and enjoyed peace, tranquility, and great conversation with the locals. It was a holiday for schools in the Bahamas (Easter Monday), so many children were there.
The locals enjoyed sand volleyball and sand soccer.
Nearby dolphins and sea lions were a popular attraction.
Afterwards, we walked around Nassau a while and decided to purchase a few things: a local coconut, tshirts, Oakley sunglasses, magnets, etc.
Eric had to get his picture in front of Senior Frogs.
As is customary on a cruise vacation, the dinner cusine is one of the highlights. This is one criteria of the kids: meet us for dinner. After that, we usually don't give a curfew.
My favorite menu item each night: a molten lava chocolate cake. It was sooooo good, and the 5 pounds I gained can be attributed to just this one dessert. I ordered it all 5 nights.
